How important is your 'look' as a nurse

[Nola009]

Especially when it comes to getting hired, pay raises and such things. I mean, I'm sure hospital administration can't possibly expect us all to look like super models, but isn't there some sort of 'look' hiring managers tend to gravitate toward?

[Okie36]

Delicate flower,

I agree...I was just saying from my perspective, and what I see with my social group, this is what I see and hear. I think the point I really just want to make to the OP is the fact that 1) people are going to judge no matter what you do especially in nursing and 2) if your truly happy with yourself then that's what matters...should you try to have a balance and make good choices yes, but do we all make them all the time....no ( as I'm sitting here drinking my Starbucks with an extra shot) ...Didn't mean any offense, hopefully none was taken.. :)

[malenurse69, MSN, NP]

Looks matter in todays society, that's an objective statement, no ifs ands or buts about it. Right or wrong, that is the reality of it.

[becka9058]

Overweight nurses giving education on a healthy lifestyle is always ironic. Look matters.

Just as ironic as the doctors and nurses telling people they shouldn't smoke and then heading outside to light one up...

[dinabatin]

First look is important when you see someone for the first time when you do not know him/her. although in each professional interview they focus on your resume , practical skills & information but you should appear good looking ,neat and attractive(not as same as a super model).

In my country(middle east) in private hospital attractive general appearance is too important but in general hospial it is not.

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

Looks matter in todays society, that's an objective statement, no ifs ands or buts about it. Right or wrong, that is the reality of it.

I couldn't agree more.

But why doesn't it apply to fat doctors?

[RNdynamic]

There is a plethora of evidence that shows that healthy habits, not body size, are the best determinant of health. Take weight out of the equation if you are trying to achieve the best health you can (and not everybody is, and that's OK). So while I would never tell a patient to "lose weight," if they are interested in improving their odds for best health, I would tell them to work at healthy behaviors instead, such as:

-Eating lots of fruits and vegetables

-Moving their bodies in ways they enjoy

-Avoiding stress

-Getting plenty of sleep

-Not smoking

-Not drinking in excess

You might say that if a person were to do all those things, they would lose weight. Maybe they would. Maybe not. In most cases, weight loss is short term but the health benefits last even if the person is (shudder) moribidly obese!

If you tell people to "lose weight" and "Eat right" and "Exercise" you are most likely writing a prescription for failure, and in many cases your advice will mean the person actually ends up weighing more than if they had done nothing. But if you tell them to focus on behaviors, and simply let their weight fall where it will, you can actually help them become healthier. That's the point, isn't it? And that's EVIDENCE based.

The link between body fat and health is also evidence based. You really need to bone up on your reading. Some consequences of obesity: stress incontinence, joint disease, sleep apnea, GERD. These aren't just things that are "linked" to obesity such as cardiac disease and diabetes. These are things that are direct physiological changes caused by having loads of fat piled on your body and pushing on your organs. Obesity also causes poor ventilation because fat desposits elevate your diaphragm and decrease chest wall compliance. This isn't stuff I'm pulling out of a hat either. It's from the AACN. Doing yoga or whatever other healthy behaviors you have in mind just isn't going to do jack to modify these things, if a given person doesn't lose excess weight.

I understand you not wanting to accept obesity as a problem because no one likes thinking about themselves in those terms, but wishful thinking will not change reality. Citing people you know who are fat and (in your estimation) healthy is great, but it doesn't change the reality that if they weren't fat, they would be in even better health and without the stresses that being fat puts on the human body.

[sweetdreame, BSN, RN]

My ICU was full of beautiful nurses... smart too...I'm just saying!

[TU RN, DNP, CRNA]

Overweight nurses giving education on a healthy lifestyle is always ironic. Look matters.

I've noticed that sizing seems to be upscaled in scrubs. Where I normally wear medium T-shirts and 34" waist (average build for a guy), I have to buy small scrubs. I've verified this by looking at multiple brands, and in some I'd even have to go as small as very small. Besides your standard American obesity, is there something extra at work in nursing? According to this slightly outdated (2008) study, yes.

Overweight and obesity in nurses, advanced practice nurses, and nurse educators - Miller - 2008 - Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners - Wiley Online Library

[AmandaTheNurse]

In healthcare, ur beauty can be thrown out of the window. It is ur attire/grooming and communication skill that counts and they r darn important. Ok ur beauty might work if u work in a aesthetic clinic. Like one of my friends, she is a nurse at a aesthetic clinic. She told me she got hired was because of her look. She is young and beautiful. She has done botox and liposuction. She is like a real-live advertisement to the clinic. So it is more persuasive when she talks to a potential client.

For me personally, when I go to work, I make sure I bun up hair neatly and put on a little make-up because my lecturer, who is an old-time nurse, used to tell me that when I was a student nurse, "The patients r already sick enough, they don't wanna see ur pale, sick-looking face. Put on a little lipstick, brighten up ur look, and it will brighten up ur patients' day." Believe it or not, this little trick does has its magic

On a side note, I do believe that u can be a nurse and be beautiful. Deciding to be beautiful is a personal thing. Career is another thing. It should not stop u from doing what u love for a living.

[Hygiene Queen]

In healthcare, ur beauty can be thrown out of the window. It is ur attire/grooming and communication skill that counts and they r darn important...

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

In healthcare, ur beauty can be thrown out of the window. It is ur attire/grooming and communication skill that counts and they r darn important. Ok ur beauty might work if u work in a aesthetic clinic. Like one of my friends, she is a nurse at a aesthetic clinic. She told me she got hired was because of her look. She is young and beautiful. She has done botox and liposuction. She is like a real-live advertisement to the clinic. So it is more persuasive when she talks to a potential client.

For me personally, when I go to work, I make sure I bun up hair neatly and put on a little make-up because my lecturer, who is an old-time nurse, used to tell me that when I was a student nurse, "The patients r already sick enough, they don't wanna see ur pale, sick-looking face. Put on a little lipstick, brighten up ur look, and it will brighten up ur patients' day." Believe it or not, this little trick does has its magic

On a side note, I do believe that u can be a nurse and be beautiful. Deciding to be beautiful is a personal thing. Career is another thing. It should not stop u from doing what u love for a living.

How difficult would it be to type out "you," "your" or "are"? Because the text speak makes you look darned ignorant!

[klone, MSN, RN]

Please, per terms of service, no text/chat speak.